Omicron variant may already account for 20% of new transmissions in Catalonia

The Omicron variant may already account for 20% of the new Covid cases in Catalonia and around 25% of those in Barcelona. 

The health department said in a statement on Friday that preliminary data confirms that a fifth of new transmissions are suspected to be of the new strain.

New cases have been rapidly surging in the past few days, and the government's advisory committee will meet on Friday afternoon in order to decide whether to recommend new restrictions.

Authorities are expected to decide on any potential measure at the beginning of next week. 

Take a look at the recent Catalan News podcast on the Covid-19 sixth wave. Published on December 4, it includes Covid certificate FAQs, travel rules, Omicron and Christmas forecast.  

According to the health ministry, the current pandemic scenario "is conditioned by the increase of the Omicron variant" and strongly advises the public to follow the measures in force, including face masks, and to get vaccinated. 

Indeed, authorities are prioritizing encouraging those over the age of 60 to get their booster shot. 

So far, 1,314,200 people have received their third dose. Those between 60 and 69, those 70 and over, immunocompromised people, care home residents, and anyone who received the Janssen vaccine are eligible to  get it, and authorities approved it on Thursday to also residents in their 50s and those who got both shots of AstraZeneca at least three months ago. These two groups will be able to book their appointments shortly, as people between 40 and 49 will be next in the coming future. 

As of December 16, 2021, 6,145,297 residents have been given the first dose of the vaccine, 77.6% of the total population. Out of those, 5,366,757 have also been administered a second dose (67.8% of the total population). 6,016,023 residents are considered to be fully immunized (75.7%).